Behavioural Assessment of Blood-Brain Barrier Opening Induced by Various Ultrasound Parameters

• Main Authors: Feng-Yi Yang, Sheng-Fang Huang
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Taiwan Association of Engineering and Technology Innovation 2016-08-01
• Series: Proceedings of Engineering and Technology Innovation
• Online Access: http://ojs.imeti.org/index.php/PETI/article/view/233

Focused ultrasound (FUS)-induced opening of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) in the presence of microbubbles is prospective for a targeted drug delivery to the brain lesion. However, the safety of this technology has been addressed recently. The purpose of this study was to assess the behavioural changes following the FUS induced-BBB disruption (BBBD). The behavioural assessment of rats were tested using the open field and hole-board from day 1 through day 32 after undergoing BBBD induced by FUS with either a mild or heavy parameter. We found that heavy BBBD induced behavioral changes, including significantly increased locomotor activity and a longer latency to nose poke for baits. Additionally, mild BBBD resulted in significant decrease of central activity. Therefore, the behavioural changes after FUS induced BBBD should be considered before clinical application.